Fashion Wears New Look, Makes Loud Statement

December 22, 1999|By JENNIFER BECK Piper High School

Many monumental things took place in the past decade, and we must not overlook what people were wearing during these times. After all, 20 or 30 years down the road we may be seeing these same fashions again.

The '90s began much like the '80s ended. Hair was big; clothes, even bigger. Girls wore slouch socks with oversized shirts tied at the hip, while boys sported their "Hammer pants." You remember them -- they ballooned out at the hip, had elastic waistbands, and only came in God-awful color combinations.

During the mid-'90s, the fashions of the '60s and '70s were revamped, at least for girls. They were wearing bell bottoms and flared pants, while boys went back to their good old jeans and a T-shirt. And we can never forget the ever-popular slap bracelet. I had about two dozen. The goal seemed to be to wear as many as possible.

The fashion mistakes of the early and mid-'90s gave way to today's fashion trends. The preppy look seems to be back with the help of stores such as Abercrombie & Fitch and The Gap. Logos and designer names are now more important than ever. But while some seem to be dressing to impress others, others dress for their own expression. Piercings and body art are big.

Only time will tell what fashion's future holds, but I guarantee that when I have children, they will be wishing that I had saved a pair of my old cargo pants. After all, they will be vintage and worth a fortune.